The Opioid Crisis

“There is some misconception that we’re going to be able to cure the [opioid] addiction suddenly and immediately and that’s not what the clinical evidence tells us. We should be thinking about it as a chronic health condition much like diabetes.”

Ongoing Struggles

Opioid-related overdose deaths increased 80 percent between 2012 and 2016, and synthetic opioid-related overdose deaths have skyrocketed. Many states are overwhelmed and are begging the federal government for assistance. Michigan Public Health researchers are exploring prescription drug monitoring programs, treatment programs, and other interventions to provide temporary relief, as well as long-term solutions to this national epidemic.